I'm not one to look back (even through I deal in vintage furniture) - instead I'm looking forward to the next year.

2017 is the year that my oldest will graduate High School. When he was a baby, we calculated his graduation year and 2017 seemed impossibly far away.

2017 is the year I turn 50 - I'm not dreading it, I have been amazingly chill about aging. It surprises me but I'm glad to discover that about myself (Although there was that 3 months when I wanted my nose pierced - it happened about the time I turned 40...so maybe I panic a little.)

2017 is the year I plan to travel to Cuba in March, back to Quebec City for more immersion classes mid-year and maybe Thailand next Christmas (jury is out on that) and who knows where else. I'm a last minute travel plan-maker.

Simple Christmas Tree 2017

2017 will be hard for my Dad who was just diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer, but I am happy to know I will still have him as we turn the calendar to 2017. I have the luck of knowing that our time together is limited so I can make the most of it, I am looking forward to the great times and conversations we will have in 2017.

In 2017 Kevin and I will celebrate 27 years of marriage (holy cow!) and 26 years in this house together - he is still my best friend and an amazing partner in this child-raising hobby that we share.

I have just signed up for an international book club in 2017, and a Bitch and Stitch group - (I actually hate sewing, knitting etc... but I love hanging around other women and laughing with a glass of wine) plus my French Group has decided to be a French/Theatre group (watching, not acting). Now I just need a group that plays pinochle....

In February 2017, I will have been in the mid century furniture business for 9 years - the longest career I've had (I tended to job jump every 2-3 years back in the dotcom/technology boom decade).

What a gift this job has been, I have met so many great people, shared laughs, restored some amazing furniture (which is my contribution to the world of art.) The flexibility of my work has allowed me to go to all my kids class parties, concerts, games and field trips.

I look forward to continuing in this business for another year, I have expanded into reupholstering MCM chairs and adding other cool vintage pieces to my inventory. I will be adding a new picker to the mix in January and seeing what he brings to the table.

2017 is shaping up to be a great year - even though I know life can really send some knock-down punches (like the idiot clown taking the white house - I'm still furious) , I will celebrate the anticipation of all the good things that 2017 will hold!

Thank you to all my friends / customers who have made this past year great and I look forward to seeing you in 2017!